_DC_ 218 Posted November 18, 2014 Think I've had about seven PM's asking about this already so sorry it's taken a few days but ya know, I have a job and that!!! A touch of the old de-ja-vu here I know, this isn't the first 5970 rep review I've done, but a few months back I bought and reviewed what I thought was the best available 5970 rep, and it was a nice watch, but it's main issue was it was just too darn big at 45mm. Here's the one I'm talking about: But bear with me, coz I found one that's a lot better (in my opinion)!! Firstly let's just remind ourselves of the gen. According to many it's "the perfect watch", Patek's flagship model, their patented perpetual calendar chronograph: It comes in four precious metals, the white gold 5970g, the yellow gold 5970j, the rose gold 5970r and the much coveted platinum 5970p with the black dial. It's since been replaced by Patek's first watch with an in-house perpetual calendar chronograph movement, the 5270, but personally I think they got it so right with the 5970 that the new kid on the block just isn't as good. Here they are side by side, the 5970 is on the left, I'll let you decide which you prefer: Now onto my new find. I stumbled across it in TS Watches special offers section, it's meant to be around $300 but I picked it up for $240 (it's now back at the original price, sorry folks). The first thing which instantly got my attention was their claim that it measured 40mm. Of course I didn't believe them since dealers are always misquoting sizes, and in photos it really doesn't look any smaller than my previous purchase, but after emailing TS Watches they confirmed it was 40mm so I ordered (still dubious that it would actually be the size they claimed)! Well, when it arrived I opened it up and fuck me, it's only bloody 40mm!!!!! It's hard to see in photos (and I will post some in a second I promise) but this watch really is resolutely little. It's wonderful!! The complicated dial just makes it appear even smaller, and even with its chunky lugs it doesn't hang off the sides of even my skinny little wrists!! So onto some pictures, these took forever to take so be nice. A few beauty shots: Now it goes without saying this rep isn't particularly close to gen. It's really not very close to gen at all, I'm not gonna list the inaccuracies (I'm sure you guys will do that for me) but there are a lot of them. However, the things they got right are the important things. The size is right, even the lug width is the same stupid 21mm as the gen making replacement straps a pain in the arse (and believe my you will want a replacement strap coz it's crap). The shape is right, those lugs, that concave bezel. The dial colour is right, it changes from bright white to deep silver depending on the light just like the gen does and up close it has a lovely metallic sheen: So the subdials aren't right, that's mostly because it's not a chronograph as per the gen, but instead they made it functional with a day and date function in the subdials which actually all works flawlessly, ticking over at just gone midnight! The dial print is also some of the best I've seen, really sharp and defined and not too many messy edges. The date and year sit nicely in their sculpted little windows and the day/night indicator is a pleasant blue and gold colour: As for the movement, it's no lemania, it's not even hand wind, but that would be asking a lot and would be impossible at this case size and dial layout. Instead it houses a 25j A2838 which is another huge improvement over the traditional 21j found I these complicated Patek reps. I've honestly never seen one with a 25j base movement before now: In terms of overall finish, again this rep impresses. With the exception of the strap which as previously alluded to is typically stiff and plasticy, the rest is extremely well finished, sharp defined edges, high mirror polish and decent engravings on crown, lugs and buckle. And oh that buckle!!! It's superb. It's a shame I intend to get rid of it in favour of the correct deployant that the gen 5970 uses, but I'll certainly be using it for my Calatrava as it is beautiful: So in conclusion, it's not perfect, I'd prefer batons rather than diamonds on the dial (might look into a mod for this) and it's still not a convincing 5970 but then the gen is a $150,000 watch so that's not really surprising. But it's as close as I think a rep is ever going to get, and as I'm never likely to own the gen it's also as close as I'll ever get to owning my absolute favourite watch of all time!! I'll leave you with a wrist shot and a comparison in size between the old rep and this one, as it's hard to see in pictures but this side by side makes it really clear how much of a difference that 5mm makes: Hope you've enjoyed the pictures, and if you want one just go look for it on TS Watches page!! Thanks for reading/looking DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunbites 0 Posted November 18, 2014 Awesome review! :-) The only thing 'bugging' me about it is the "311" on date dial. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted November 18, 2014 Awesome review! :-) The only thing 'bugging' me about it is the "311" on date dial. Seriously?! That's the thing that bugs you?! I think maybe this hobby isn't for you sunbites you seem very picky lol! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duzza 183 Posted November 18, 2014 Does the crown sit off the case like that all the time or is it pulled out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunbites 0 Posted November 18, 2014 Awesome review! :-) The only thing 'bugging' me about it is the "311" on date dial. Seriously?! That's the thing that bugs you?! I think maybe this hobby isn't for you sunbites you seem very picky lol! DC If it's not sarcasm then yeah lol :-D The diamonds are annoying too, but apart from that its a cracking watch :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 62 Posted November 18, 2014 Nice review. I agreed with sunbites. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elp 26 Posted November 18, 2014 So are you planning to get rid of that inaccurate, ugly, huge black-faced 5970? If so, PM me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazzla 26 Posted November 18, 2014 Nice review, Sir. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kleban 0 Posted November 18, 2014 Pretty watch - although I think the day/date subdials would bug me. I've had a cheapie Daytona rep with those and while it wasn't anything like the quality of your PP, it was those dang subdials that really wound me up (pun intended). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Chico 0 Posted November 18, 2014 Awesome write up as usual Dave! Very nice! Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted November 18, 2014 Does the crown sit off the case like that all the time or is it pulled out? I hacked it so it stayed at ten past two lol! DC So are you planning to get rid of that inaccurate, ugly, huge black-faced 5970? If so, PM me Already did weeks ago I'm afraid sir! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anfalas 0 Posted November 18, 2014 Very nice .........bit disappointed you didn't do a wrist shot with the dressing gown though (unless that was a towel in the background!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted November 18, 2014 Nice review. I agreed with sunbites. Why I autta'..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stuvetjee 17 Posted November 18, 2014 Sick mate! Absolute love it! How awesome would a ST19 version be Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunbites 0 Posted November 18, 2014 The crown engraving looks so much nicer than the one on my Nautilus lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted November 18, 2014 Sick mate! Absolute love it! How awesome would a ST19 version be Yeah that would be awesome, but I have a feeling the subdial positions would be wrong, even if they could mount the date functions on the top of it the watch would have to be so much larger for the subdials to appear in the correct place! Could be wrong, I hope I am coz if they made it one day I'd be so happy!! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunbites 0 Posted November 18, 2014 Sick mate! Absolute love it! How awesome would a ST19 version be Yeah that would be awesome, but I have a feeling the subdial positions would be wrong, even if they could mount the date functions on the top of it the watch would have to be so much larger for the subdials to appear in the correct place! Could be wrong, I hope I am coz if they made it one day I'd be so happy!! DC With all your watches and passion I wish you to own this Gen :-) You for sure deserve it sir; Patek could use you as a posterboy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
playinwittime 0 Posted November 22, 2014 (edited) Those Patek Reps are saweeet Edited November 22, 2014 by playinwittime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RussP 27,704 Posted November 22, 2014 That's one ugly watch, Dave. Send it to me immediately, so that I can add it to my collection of ugly Pateks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UmpaHimself 223 Posted November 22, 2014 Definitely the right size on your wrist. How about that ice though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted November 22, 2014 Definitely the right size on your wrist. How about that ice though. Hmm, yeah I'm not exactly someone you associate with bling am I? It's subtle though, really subtle! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt5 0 Posted January 3, 2015 where i can find this rep? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martijn0007 4 Posted January 3, 2015 where i can find this rep? http://www.tswatchltd.com/15314-pa15314-patek-geneve-white-dial-ss-lt-a2836.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FuzzyCoyote 2 Posted January 3, 2015 How did I miss this one.... Bookmarked for a good read later once the darts is over Good effort dude Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted January 3, 2015 where i can find this rep? http://www.tswatchltd.com/15314-pa15314-patek-geneve-white-dial-ss-lt-a2836.html I've heard a rumour that it's now out of stock! DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
